What do healthy astronauts eat in space? Astronaut food. The phrase, astronaut food, once brought images of bland, powdery nutrition bars, packed with daily vitamins and minerals. Sounds good, but it also sounds like something that tastes of cardboard rather than a tasty meal.
However, the time of space cuisine bearing the taste and texture of papier-mâché is a relic of the past.
Today, celebrated food and nutrition experts are transforming space food into a gastronomic delight. The European food sector can now provide the International Space Station’s crew with premium, tasty food items. This offers an untapped market opportunity that could provide profitable ventures for Europe’s Food and Nutrition companies.
In the early days, astronauts had tubes and cubes
The culinary journey of the pioneering astronauts was far from a fine dining affair. At the start, Russian space program strategists envisioned a diet in pill form. This would encapsulate all essential nutrients and vitamins. Luckily for all astronauts, this concept of a ‘nutrient-packed pill’ never came to be.
Of course, this was a good thing and changed the idea of ‘what do healthy astronauts eat in space?’ for the better.
The meal to be eaten in space was “enjoyed” by Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov, in 1961. It was served in packaging that looked similar to toothpaste tubes. His three-course meal included a tube of mashed vegetable soup, a tube of liver spread and one of blackcurrant juice.
In 1962, when American astronaut John Glenn embarked on his Mercury mission, his provisions were a long way from appetising. His space-bound pantry included compact, crumbly cubes, foods in a freeze-dried state requiring rehydration into a mushy mash and tube-contained semi-liquids that required squeezing directly into the mouth.
It’s little wonder both men were less than enthusiastic about their space menus.
Astronaut food underwent a significant transformation only a short time after its inception. The cumbersome tubes were swiftly discarded in favour of the ‘spoon bowl’, and various food trays were introduced.
These changes allowed Astronauts (and cosmonauts) to use traditional utensils like knives, forks and spoons, bringing the dining experience in orbit much closer to a typical Earth-bound meal.
The evolution in packaging heralded enhancements in the quality and diversity of the menu. By the 1980s, astronauts had the luxury of selecting from an impressive array of over 200 specially processed food options, including the comfort of heated meals.
What do healthy astronauts eat in space? Variety and freshness have changed for the good
At the moment (2024), the crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has the privilege of selecting from an extensive assortment of culinary options before commencing their mission.
While astronauts and cosmonauts enjoy a range of meal choices, the menu does cycle every eight days.
Nonetheless, the diversity of the menu remains a pivotal factor for those on extended missions. For those staying on the ISS for six months, the monotony of daily life is punctuated primarily by various experiments. Hence, the assortment of meals plays an important role in enhancing their everyday experience. Any additional variety is greatly appreciated and valued by the crew.
Certainly, not just any meal is suitable for a journey to the Space Station. Space-bound food must undergo rigorous testing to ensure it can withstand the unique conditions of space without spoiling.
Currently, the diet of astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station consists of either dehydrated provisions (supplied by the United States) or preserved canned goods (provided by Russia).
Fresh produce is scarce aboard the station, with fruits and vegetables remaining fresh for only a couple of days in the microgravity environment. The ongoing challenge for space nutritionists is to craft food that not only survives the harsh realities of space but also meets the nutritional demands, while still being palatable and enjoyable.
One day we may be able to answer the question “What do healthy astronauts eat in space?” with, “Anything you would on Earth in a healthy and tasty diet.
This presents a distinctive chance for the food and nutrition sector: by innovating with fresh, wholesome, and flavorful space cuisine, nutrition companies gain access to an exceptional marketing avenue.
This allows them to leverage the allure and intrigue of space for public relations, and they also stand to apply their discoveries to burgeoning market segments.
Early efforts to bring premium food options to the ISS have been made, yet there exists a chance for businesses to capitalise on this scenario consistently and commercially.
Astronaut food for everyone
The conditions in space can adversely impact human health: astronauts enduring extended stays in orbit experience a decline in bone density and muscle strength, and their cardiovascular system is taxed due to the upward redistribution of body fluids. These phenomena mirror the natural ageing process on Earth. Nevertheless, there are strategies to mitigate these effects, with physical exercise and proper nutrition being the most critical defences.
The potential for space food applications on Earth is immense, with a broad spectrum of potential consumers including the elderly, hospitals, and those in high-stress professions such as athletes, explorers, or military personnel.
Supplying the ISS with a wide range of European cuisine is an untapped market opportunity. It would enrich the variety of food for astronauts and serve as a milestone for the food company involved.
It’s a unique selling point to claim that your products are distributed worldwide and in space. Astronauts might not represent the largest demographic of consumers, but they are undoubtedly a high-value group. Also, they aren’t the only ones who would benefit from food that is highly nutritious and enjoyable.
Offering a selection of national dishes from European countries to the Space Station could be a boost not just for the astronauts but also for the European culinary sector.
This initiative could position Europe at the forefront of crafting a consistent menu for space, potentially setting a new standard for off-planet dining experiences and generating new answers to What do healthy Astronauts Eat in space?
Be First to Comment